Introduction
Police in the Pakistani city of Gujarat have launched an investigation after three young women allegedly carried out an unusual confidence scam. According to local reports, the suspects convinced a woman to hand over gold earrings worth several hundred thousand rupees. They then fled the neighbourhood before anyone could intervene.
The Incident
The case was reported in Mohalla Chah Kholay, a densely populated residential area where neighbours say door-to-door vendors are common. The victim, Nusrat Javed, told police the women approached her under the pretext of selling cooking oil. Such mobile sales are not unusual in lower- and middle-income communities, where suppliers often market discounted goods directly to households.
However, the interaction soon took an unexpected turn. According to the complaint, the women told Javed she had won a special prize as part of a promotional campaign. They reportedly claimed she first needed to show a valuable item to confirm her eligibility.
Believing their story, Javed handed over a pair of gold earrings. Police say the jewellery was worth lakhs of rupees, a phrase typically used in Pakistan for amounts exceeding PKR 100,000 (around USD 350). After receiving the earrings, the women abruptly left the house and disappeared into the surrounding streets.
A Familiar Yet Evolving Scam
Although the specific method used in this case was unusual, law enforcement officials say similar schemes have been reported in various parts of Punjab. Confidence tricks, often involving fake prize schemes, remain common across South Asia. Criminals frequently prey on elderly residents or homemakers who are alone at home during the day.
Scams involving women posing as sales agents are a rising trend, according to police sources. Criminals believe female suspects attract less suspicion and are therefore more capable of entering homes without resistance. Additionally, traditional social norms can make residents hesitant to confront women they do not know, creating an opportunity for deception.
This latest incident appears to follow that pattern. The suspects combined a familiar commercial approach — selling household goods — with a fabricated reward scheme to gain the victim’s trust.
Police Response
The victim lodged an official complaint at her local police station shortly after the incident. Officers registered a First Information Report (FIR) and have begun collecting evidence.
Investigators are reviewing neighbourhood CCTV recordings. Punjab police have expanded surveillance across many urban centres in recent years, though older neighbourhoods sometimes have limited camera coverage. Officers also plan to interview residents who may have seen the women approaching other homes.
A police official, speaking on background, said that initial findings suggest the suspects may have followed a scripted plan. Officers believe the group might be part of a mobile network that targets multiple areas on the same day before moving on.
Rising Concerns About Local Security
Incidents like this have heightened concerns about public safety in smaller Pakistani cities. While major crimes such as armed robbery receive more attention, confidence scams often go unreported. Many victims feel embarrassed and prefer to remain silent.
Security analysts say economic hardship can make communities more vulnerable. Pakistan has faced persistent inflation in essential goods, including cooking oil. As prices rise, offers of discounts or prizes can seem especially attractive to households struggling with daily expenses.
Consequently, criminals may exploit that vulnerability. They frequently use everyday items like oil, flour, or detergent — as props to appear legitimate.
Public Warnings and Community Advice
Police officials urge residents to verify the identity of anyone visiting their homes. Authorities recommend checking vendor identification, confirming company promotions through verified numbers, and avoiding handing valuables to strangers under any circumstances.
Neighbourhood committees in some areas have also started informal WhatsApp alert groups to report suspicious activity. Community policing initiatives, although still limited, are expanding as awareness grows.
What Happens Next
For now, police are working to track down the suspects and recover the stolen earrings. Officers say they are confident the women will be identified, especially if they attempt similar scams elsewhere.
The incident serves as a reminder of the evolving tactics used by small-scale criminals in Pakistan’s urban and semi-urban areas. While the monetary loss is significant for the victim, the case also highlights the need for greater public awareness and more robust community vigilance.
Authorities are urging residents to report similar incidents promptly to help prevent further scams in the region.
